COMMUNITY NEEDS EXPO FRIDAY MAY 11TH & SATURDAY 12TH

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW! 

http://www.veteransbenefits.us/fightforourtroops-calvarychristiancenter.html

Monday May 7, 2012

10 A.M. – 11 A.M. (TO BE CONFIRMED)

Press Conference

Confirmed politicians, and business leaders:

Bonnie Mireles, Business Development Manager, S.L.A.T.E.

Lewis Reed, President of the St. Louis Board of Alderman

Micah Goulet, Mission Continues

Darlene Green, Comptroller City of St. Louis

Michael McMillan, License Collector

Dan Isom, Police Chief City of St. Louis

Ollie Stewart, Southside Senior Wellness Center

Jocelyn Farmer, American Heart Association

Barbara Youmans, Levy Restaurants at Scottrade Center & Peabody Opera House

Steve Owens, Humana

Nate Dixon, Director of Sales, Radio-One St. Louis

C. Jessel Strong, President of the Metropolitan Clergy Coalition

Veta Jerrery, Manager of Financial Services, Prudential 

Vernon Carter, Personal Financial Professional, Prudential

Nichole Roach, Downtown Campus Director, Webster University

Sgt. Darren Wilson, President of the Ethical Society of Police

Hon. Mayor Sylvester Caldwell, Pine Lawn

Angela Ellerson, Grace Hill Health Center

Thursday May 10, 2012

8 A.M.  – 4 P.M.

Load-In/Company Setup

VENDORS ONLY

5 P.M.- 7 P.M.

PRIVATE RECEPTION (Invite Only)

Embassy Suites Hotel

·         Sponsors & VIP

·         Politics

·         Wine & Appetizers

Friday May 11, 2012

9 A.M.

Expo opens

·         Health Fair, Powered by Grace Hill & The American Heart Association

·         Job Fair, Sponsored by S.L.A.T.E., Humana Prudential and Levy Restaurants

·         Amnesty, Pine Lawn, St. Louis City Parking

10:00 A.M.

Workshops begin:

·         S.L.A.T.E. presents: Job Fair preparedness

·         (3pm) Prudential Insurance presents: Interviewing Skills: Showing your strengths in a job interview

·         (6 pm) St. Louis Shark Tank

New Product Showcase & Focus on Entrepreneurs

Featuring the “Ink Yourself” workshop by Sandra Marks

Present your ideas to professional consultants, bankers and financial educators that can help you launch your ideas and find financing.

·         Narconon presents: Eliminating drug abuse through drug prevention, education and rehabilitation

·         Credit Repair and Banking for the Unbanked

·         Home Buyers workshop

·         “Get Fit For Christ” 40 day workout (lecture) By Lyle Johnson, MVP Fitness

8 P.M.

Expo Closes

Saturday May 12, 2012

9 A.M.

Let’s Move Community Fitness Rally (all FREE and open to the public)

·         Health Lecture: The Key To Quantum Health by Shawn Stevenson

Shawn Stevenson is a Professional Nutritionist specializing in biochemistry and kinesiological science, as well as advanced treatment for acute and chronic disorders. He is the author of several books including The Key to Quantum Health and The Fat Loss Code.  He holds a Bachelors of Science degree from The University of Missouri – St. Louis, and he is the founder of the Advanced Integrative Health Alliance.

·         Yoga: Urban Breath Yoga

Urban Breath Yoga is your sanctuary, a place to find growth, serenity and connection–– a place to belong. Here you will discover deeper awareness, enliven your senses and be embraced by our beautiful community. In this space, life is more interesting, more inspiring. Through yoga and breath, you can sculpt your body, calm your mind and touch your soul. So come! Expand beyond limitations and fears, and birth a new vision of yourself. Let us guide you in becoming more alive than ever before. You need this... We all do. Find yourself here.

·         Zumba®: Lyle Johnson MVP Fitness

Professional Personal Trainer Lyle Johnson is the owner of MVP Fitness and has helped hundreds of clients, including professional athletes and entertainers, achieve their fitness goals. His personal mission is to help you make lifestyle changes in order for you to receive the benefits of Life's blessings for years to come.

·         FREE MMA Workouts Hosted by Jermaine Andre:

Anti-Bully Workshop (5-11yrs) Andre’s Modern Defense (12-16yrs) MMA For Everyone (17+)

10:00 A.M.

Workshops Opens:

·         MO Department of Health presents: Urban Farming and Organic Gardening Workshops.

·         Successful Fundraising Tips: Barry Coziahr: Response Targeted Marketing

Learn fundraising techniques from a local church who has personally raised millions of dollars in donations within his local parish. 

·         What the rich teach their children

·         Heart Healthy Recipes, The American Heart Association

·         Food AS Medicine, Various Medical Professionals & Naturopathic Doctors

Friday 3pm (General Audience)

Saturday 10 am - 11pm (Military Focused)

11am - 12 pm (General Audience)

Prudential Insurance presents

Interviewing Skills:

Showing your strengths in a job interview

This workshop is designed to help veterans articulate your skillsets and

miltary experiences with a potential employer. It will also introduce you to various types of interviews being used by employers today and help better prepare you for the interview.

11 A.M.– 1 P.M.

YOUTH RESORUCE RALLY

featuring Terrance J of 106 & Park and the hit movie Think Like A Man

Panelists include:

Nichole Roach, Downtown Campus Director, Webster University

Cedric Cobb, Edge Business Solutions

Sgt. Darren Wilson, President of the Ethical Society of Police

Mike Mintz, Learn & Prosper

DeQuincy Dangerfield, Learn & Prosper

Etefia Umana, Cardinal Ritter College Prep

Orlando Watson, Rockhouse Entertainment

Willie Spratt, Fyreboy Entertainment

Jibbs 

12 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.

“Hat’s Off To Mom” Afternoon Brunch & Fashion Show

This event is in association with The National Baptist Congress, St. Louis Local Charities and The American Heart Association. Families, Churches & Organizations Invited.

3 P.M. – 5 P.M.

Community Needs Forum

Topics will include:

• Unemployment & crime

• Who is responsible for failing our young people?

• Breaking “Dad” & the war over child support

• What is the Women’s role in stabilizing the Community?

6:00 P.M.

Red Carpet Veterans Rally (open to the public)

7 P. M.

World Champion Andre’s MMA presents:

“A Fight For Our Troops”

Proceeds to benefit Wounded Warrior Project, The Mission Continues and The Guardian Eye Fund

8 P.M.

Expo Closes

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW! 

http://www.veteransbenefits.us/fightforourtroops-calvarychristiancenter.html


HURRY-- THEY'RE ALMOST GONE!


http://www.veteransbenefits.us/cne-stl-2012/info.pdf

Small Business Summer Camp for Youth July 9th-20th

Mentoring in Medicine Virtual Summer Camp

Attend a “live” video webcast to learn advanced biology, research methods and serve as a community health ambassador. The dates are July 9th to July 20th, Monday through Friday, from 1-4pm CST.

This program is FREE! You only need a computer with an internet connection and the desire to succeed.

Concept: High school and College students attend an online 2-week summer camp to gain exposure to various careers in medicine and learn advanced biology in a fun and interactive format.

Background: Obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes have reached epidemic levels in urban communities. Exercise and healthy eating are proven methods to reduce the potential for long-term chronic illness. Students will learn advanced biological concepts that relate to the cardiovascular system, risk factors for heart disease and sociological issues that impact community health.
On the final day, students will deliver poster board presentations on what they learned. The program is designed to improve their critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills.The sessions will be broadcast over the Internet to allow others to attend via the virtual classroom.

During the summer, students will learn how to:

1. Understand advanced biological concepts that relate to the cardiovascular system

2. Take vitals - blood pressure, heart rate and body mass index

3. Research existing medical literature

4. Apply statistical analysis to data

5. Create and present a scientific poster board based on their findings

Email full name, address, phone, age, school and email address to: powershift2010@gmail.com or click below to register.

   Virtual SMALL BUSINESS SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUTH

Virtual Small Business
Summer Camp for Youth

Two week on-line summer camp that shows young people from ages 12 to 24 how to launch a for-profit or non-profit business.

From the comfort of your home, you can watch a "live" web video presentation of the do's and don'ts for making your own money this summer. All you need is a computer with a high-speed internet connection. Celebrity guests and successful business owners will share proven methods to grow a business at an early age. Learn how to select an event, service or product that you can sell during the summer.

Dates: Monday, July 23rd to Friday, August 3rd
Time: 1pm - 4pm CST

Location: Online

Students will learn:
- How to manage your emotions as you build a business
- Read the news for opportunity
- Selecting the right product to sell - book, CD, t-shirt, DVD
- Creating a website for free
- Accepting payments online
- Write a book in a weekend
- Legal issues that impacts small business owners
- Developing a conversation about your product with Social Media
- The power of video
- Attracting investors with a 2-page document
- Selling on Ebay
- The basics of financial statements
- Investing in the stock market
- Time management strategies that work
- Building your brand with a celebrity
- Giving back to the community by partnering with a non-profit
- Mobile applications - the next big thing!

Studens Recieve:

- Biz Builders Manual

- Access to video recordings of each session

- 90-day support via online networking group

Instructor: Andrew Morrison is the President of Small Business Camp. The company provides high-impact marketing strategies for entrepreneurs, executives and non-profit leaders. Andrew has as trained thousands of entrepreneurs from Hawaii to Nigeria and appeared on Oprah.

 

The Gospel Revolution & Grand Opening Easter Sunday!

Ramada Plaza Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn)-Downtown Convention Center

WELCOME TO CALVARY CHRISTIAN CENTER- ST. LOUIS@DOWNTOWN

Calvary Christian Center St. Louis @ Downtown

“Where We’re Growing In Grace!”

Join us this Sunday morning and every Sunday morning 9am-11am. This coming Sunday—Easter Sunday is the official kickoff of our Calvary Christian Center St. Louis - Downtown Campus. We are a part of Grace Church International. Calvary Christian Center St. Louis@ Downtown is located in the heart of Downtown St. Louis, at Holiday Inn/Ramada Plaza-Downtown Convention Center. It was founded by Dr. Phillip G. Goudeaux of Calvary Christian Center-Sacramento. Bishop Michael Bates will be speaking a dynamic message this Sunday-- you and your family will love your time at the AMAZING Calvary Christian Center St. Louis—with so much to offer this Sunday for the whole family!

Who: Calvary Christian Center St. Louis@ Downtown

Where: Holiday Inn/Ramada Plaza-Downtown Convention Center,

811 N. 9th St. St. Louis, MO 63101

Parking: Free parking is available on the streets

When: Sunday April 8th at 9am-11am

Bishop Michael A. Bates Sr., Overseer Gerald Liddell, Pastor

Contact: bishopmbates@aol.com or 1.314.656.9514

www.calvarychristiancenter.blogspot.com

Facebook: Michael A. Bates Sr. & Calvary Christian CenterStl

Join us this Sunday for a great service with filled Grace teaching. There will be door prizes, money eggs, build-a-bears, raffle baskets and lots of goodies!

Church Attendance: Here Are Some Reasons to Go

I am currently working from my iPad. It's a beautiful Spring day and I’m on my flight headed back to St. Louis. I've just left one of my favorite cities, Miami, and as I am writing—while on my flight, I happened to sit next to a guy that for whatever reason shared with me his previous church experience. Unfortunately, it was an experience that was quite negative, but this is common. Most people have had an experience with religion and not Grace. Why attend a service at a church? Is it even relevant anymore? Well, here are some reasons to go, and we want you to consider these reasons:

1. Be Honest With Yourself—Let’s Keep it 100:
What does this mean? It means you honestly feel you need it. Let's put it this way, assuming you are a Christian and are prepared to be brutally honest. You need to finally admit you're not perfect. I know. It’s tight, but it’s right. The last time you read your Bible was never. The last time you prayed was at dinner and the last time you cussed somebody out was this morning when your check didn’t arrive in the mail as you though it would or someone took your parking spot at Wal-Mart. It happens to the best of us. You are not perfect! Honest conviction for me means that sometimes church is the one time a week that I re-align and become Grace Conscious again.

2. Real Relationships
If you don't have genuine relationships at the church you've been going to, then I can tell you right now, you’re in the wrong place. I talk to people all the time and what I hear them dealing with the most is loneliness. So what you have 5000 Facebook friends. Be real for a minute and ask yourself, how many of those FB friends are prepared to help you when you are down to your last, when you need a baby sitter because you have a job interview or will just send a message to see how you are doing? How many of these friends will keep calling you or texting you if you relocate to a different city? How many friends stay your friends if you go to a different church or if circumstances change? Real relationships are lacking. A good reason to go to church is because you've got some place you can feel welcome-- appreciated and not tolerated, and connect with people you can call family. To be real honest with you, it keeps you grounded and connected.

3. A Place To Serve
A good reason to go is because it should be the place where you get to help people. That's what church should be. If not, it's just a glorified Happy Hour. What separates a church from a social club is Love. Come on, we can all say we're Christians, but if we are not personally involved with helping others—it’s called Outreach, then we're just faking like the hypocrites, talking and doing nothing. Be a part of a church where you can get involved and help people, even if it's only once a month. Perhaps your schedule doesn’t allow you to do a whole lot, but you still want to help, trust me what “little” you can do, is a LOT to the person receiving. As we often say, it’s better than nothing.

4. What’s God Got to Do With It? EVERYTHING
The main reasons for going to a particular church are so shallow these days. We go to churches that are: close to home, large in membership, have good music, where we grew up, where our parents go...among other reasons. Where's the God factor in any of these things? I know one thing about myself; if I feel like God has told me to do something; I'm going to do my best to maintain it. Where has God told you to go? Maybe He hasn't...then it might be time to seek Him about it. Maybe you know...then it might be time to follow through. Comfort is irrelevant.

Sleeping in on a Sunday… Is Sunday Your Only Off Day?

Sunday brunch, Sunday lunch, Sunday sleeping in, Sunday sports..... Sunday church??? It seems that if you go to church on a Sunday you are probably in a small number that are doing so. I've noticed that the number of Christians that attend church on a Sunday is becoming smaller and smaller because they now have options like Friday or Saturday church and even online church. Showing my age now… lol… growing up, Sunday was the only option unless you were of a different faith. Nevertheless, there are still some of us that keep our regular Grace appointment on Sunday morning between 9 and 11.

As we look toward a launch on Easter Sunday for our new church in Downtown St. Louis, we're trying to figure out what is relevant in your life--what you’re thinking… Would you attend a service at a day or time other than on a Sunday or even in a church building?

Do You Have Issues With Money?

You go to church for many reasons. Some of them are sincere, and others at times may not be so sincere. To worship, to hear an encouraging message, for entertainment, for your kids to learn your values, for friends -- whatever the reason, the bottom line is, it is highly unlikely you dressed yourself and showed up so that you could hear a 30 minute talk about the church's mortgage, interest payments and other debts, and how YOU need to 'pledge' money to pay off a debt YOU weren't involved in creating!

A few years ago, our worship team was asked to lead worship at a local mega church. Their biggest comment to me afterwards was "that pastor came up and talked about the building debt and interest payments for half of the service!" I don't know about you, but that's the part about "Church" that I dislike. In this day and age of people out of work, businesses barely making it and other struggles existing, is it really the time to be squeezing money from people that are simply trying to connect with God at church?

It would be one thing if you were asking me to give to the homeless or help feed the hungry, but you're asking me to pay off the huge and possibly unnecessary loan that someone else took out to have a fancy building, in addition to my own mortgage or rent. Don't get me wrong, I personally have friends who have ministries that are large, beautiful campuses. But what I respect about them is that they don't ask for money to pay off a debt. How do they do it then?

Faith in the Grace of God: Why preach about God providing and then ask me to pledge? Seems ridiculous—just try googling "church fundraising" and you will come up with a ton of companies that do this for a living. Now if your church is part of a building campaign, debt campaign or some other money raising effort, it’s likely they employed one of these guys to advise them in their journey. It’s all pretty much the same...come up with a catchy phrase (Rise and Build, Building for the Future, God's House plan etc..), make a website and lots of postcards for it, divide the amount you need by the amount of people you need to give, and so on lol… where's faith now, preacher man?

Faith went out the window when the responsibility of providing fell on the shoulders of the people in the pews versus God. Now I realize that money doesn't magically appear and that somebody somewhere has to write a check. But is it really faith when you have to manipulate, squeeze, man handle, shake-down and guilt trip people into participating in a gimmick? I don't think so. Let's not make the church complicated. No long talks about money.

Mega Churches - Why Attending One Isn't Necessarily for You Here Are Some Reasons:

I've been in mega churches before. In fact, I have lots of friends that lead mega churches. I spent many years learning ministry around the world, so please don’t think I'm anti mega church. But the truth is that attending one may not necessarily be the right choice for you. Mega churches have a lot of benefits to attendees but they also have disadvantages.

Big isn't always better. My favorite restaurant isn't a 30,000 square foot warehouse. It's a little local French restaurant with a very intimate atmosphere. It's not like you're looking for the biggest phone you can find. Big isn't always better. Wal-Mart is great for a bargain but I'd rather see a doctor if I'm sick. We all have different needs and a mega church might not necessarily meet them for you. Here are some reasons a mega church may not be for you:

1. Lack of community and friendships.
Let me share with you very quickly a story about one of my visits to a mega church in California. The facility was a multimillion dollar complex with couches, coffee bars and luxuries throughout the lobby. The auditorium seated over 15,000 and the music and speaking were dynamic. The church was nationally influential. Here’s the thing, in all of this magnificent beauty, my friend had no one at all reach out to have a conversation with him. Wow! He came knowing no one there and left knowing no one there. That’s not how church should be. Most people are extremely lonely. The truth is that the most people do not have 6 close friends, who are not family, to be a pallbearer at their own funeral. Church should be a place where you can develop life- long relationships. Mega churches aren't going to provide this for you. Sure you might disagree and say you have plenty of friends at your mega church but when was the last time you met a "first-timer" and asked them out to your favorite spot? Probably never. Want to find friends? You are most likely not going to find any at a large church.

2. You are unlikely to ever use your talents or gifts there.
It amazes me that a church of 5000 people can't find a drummer and so they come and get your church’s musicians, singers and dancers. Our worship leader on our team recently got asked to worship lead for a church of 20,000 people because they didn't have anyone else. Surely there has to be people in these huge congregations that can sing, dance, play an instrument, is good with children and so on. Most mega churches hire musicians, have paid staff for most positions and don't need people to use their gifts. Want to get involved and serve? It’s probably not going to happen for you at a mega church.

3. No one will miss you.
But if you attend a church, it is highly unlikely anyone will miss you if you skip a Sunday. What about if you skip two Sundays? What about ten or even a month or a year? If you don't believe me, just try skipping a Sunday at a mega church and see if anyone calls to see if you're ok. No one will miss you if you leave a mega church. Everybody wants to feel like they matter. That they are noticed, valued and appreciated—not just an envelope or a rear-end filling a seat. Why go to a church where the pastor doesn't know that you exist or your name?

A smaller church is not necessarily less successful. Success is not about being big or small. Big isn't always better—sometimes it’s just swollen. Remember if a body part swells, that is not a good sign and indicates something needs to be checked out and treated. If you want friends...real friends and real relationships--if you want to serve and use your talents--if you want to feel like you matter--if you want to be pastored by someone who knows you exist and knows your name, I would highly recommend finding a smaller church. A smaller church can offer things a mega church can't. So when looking for a place to belong, don't just head out to the biggest church you can find-- it might not be what you really need.

There Has to Be More to The Church

There's nothing wrong with lights, productions, conferences, buildings or fundraisers. But, is that what the church is really supposed to be about? Don't get me wrong. I like a bit of theatrics here and there, but I think I'm a little over being sold on all of that now. People aren't interested in big, expensive buildings anymore. They don't care about what the stage looks like or the fact that the who's who of the Gospel is speaking at your church. They aren't into the lavishness of raising money for a pet project or paying off debt that they weren't involved in creating. The Church is tired of the show. People want the real deal. Why can't we keep it simple? Why can't the church be what it's supposed to be about--just helping the down and out, the sick and the hurting, not a comparison to a Hip-Hop concert or an Oprah Winfrey event. People don't want to go to a church where 5000-10,000 other people go and no one knows if you exist. We want community. We want to serve. We want to keep it uncomplicated.

What is Calvary Christian Center St. Louis About?

You might be wondering what Calvary Christian Center St. Louis is all about. Well, I’m glad you asked. I don't think I can answer it in just a few written words, but I'm up for the challenge of giving you the short version of who we are and what we believe. We believe in the finished works of Jesus Christ and that because of what He did at Calvary, we now have the option to live under Grace upon accepting that He fully paid our sin debt so that we don’t have to. He came because He loved the world and wanted to give His life for her. The church is people. The church isn't about programs, buildings, productions, stages, fundraising, Christian celebrities, the biggest or the best. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 that if you help the least of these (people) you have done this for Me. I’ll be honest and that personally, I've done a lot of things I thought I was doing for God but ultimately I'm not sure that God really cared about it. It might be sad but it's the truth. Being a church leader for so many years, I guess I'm a little burnt out on doing things that I doubt that God cares about. He doesn't care about the lights we use or the fact we have multiple services all timed out to the minute. What He cares about is if we are helping the least of these.

Why are you waiting to join the Calvary Christian Center St. Louis Family?

… You need a new beginning
… You want something Practical, Not Religious
… You’re open to God, but have been Turned Off to Church
… You love Music and Celebrative Worship
… You need Acceptance and Friendship
… You like Cultural Diversity
… You like a sense of Family Togetherness
… You want a place where Kids and Teens are Celebrated, Not Just Tolerated
… You want to be Accepted, Not Embarrassed

No questions, the ONLY missing thing at Calvary Christian Center St. Louis
… is YOU!

People Come… Families Grow… Lives Change…

Who is Calvary Christian Center St. Louis?

I guess a picture speaks volumes, so rather than write a thousand words as to who we are; I figured I'll just show you some photos taken over the last decade of our ministry. Since then my wife Lady Dee Dee and I have started a local church in the heart of Downtown St. Louis, MO. Our campuses are also located in: Dallas, TX, Duncanville, TX, Alton, IL, Kansas City, MO and Chicago, IL.

Today we are planning and dreaming of a church that will impact our immediate community with hundreds of people coming together for a cause and a vision, and not just to sit down for another programmed service being entertained by music, dance and good preaching. We're far past that now. We're done with the building projects and the pledges, the waste and the arrogant productions. It's not complicated with us: we’re all about Grace through Jesus Christ. That means come and worship God with us, receive life changing Bible teaching and let's go and impact our city. A passionate church by the name of Calvary Christian Center St. Louis is launching in Downtown St. Louis Easter 2012 at the Holiday Inn/Ramada Plaza Hotel 811 N. 9th Street in the Lindell Room.... We invite you!